Movies:
Rock Star |
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2002
- Languages: English & Français (dubbed in Quebec)
- Subtitles: English, Français & Español
- Feature-length audio commentary by director Stephen Herek
- Making-of featurette "Backstage Pass"
- Everclear "Rock Star" music video
- Interactive menus
- Cast/director film highlights
- Theatrical trailer
- Scene access
- Rating:
- Genre: Drama
- Movie Type: Musical Drama, Period Film
- Themes: Rags To Riches, Musician's Life, Cinderella Stories
- Director: Stephen Herek
- Main Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Olyphant, Jason Flemyng, Timothy Spall
- Release Year: 2001
- Country: US
- Run Time: 106 minutes
- MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Loosely inspired by the true story of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, this music industry fable from director Stephen Herek is based on a script by actor-turned-writer/director John Stockwell. Mark Wahlberg stars as Chris Cole, a wannabe rock star who works by day as a copy machine repairman and by night as the lead singer of Blood Pollution, a Pennsylvania tribute band that imitates the best-selling heavy metal rockers of Steel Dragon. Although he's supported by his girlfriend Emily (Jennifer Aniston), Chris is devastated when his friends kick him out of the band he founded. His humiliation doesn't last long, however, as Chris soon learns that he's been tapped to replace the lead singer of Steel Dragon, literally becoming a rock star overnight. Chris soon has everything he's ever wanted but is disappointed to discover that being a superstar isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Rock Star was produced under two other titles, "Metal God" and "So You Want to Be a Rock Star." ~ Karl Williams, All Movie GuideReview
As VH1's Behind the Music upgraded the status of hair bands like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi from public embarrassment to source of nostalgia, the appetite grew for a movie like Rock Star. Director Stephen Herek doesn't disappoint in this first mainstream attempt to cast pop metal as a modern period piece, using equal parts Almost Famous, A Star Is Born, and This Is Spinal Tap for a likable, if superficial brew. Herek proves himself as much a fan of rock bravura as a critic of its shallowness, perfectly capturing trademark elements like the overblown sets and the interchangeable lead singers. Mark Wahlberg, playing another naif run through the glamorous wringer in a decade-defining epic (see Boogie Nights), has the natural swagger to pull off the role effortlessly -- even if his own musical roots were in popular hip-hop, a fact teased during the closing credits. Jennifer Aniston is a little too self-aware to seem like a real rock chick, but she displays far greater subtlety than one would expect from a television actress, elevating the role above obviousness. Most of the supporting performances, including a superlative Timothy Spall, also reflect enough nuance to avoid cliché. The film offers all the formulaic moments one would expect, but that doesn't make it any less fun to see hotel furniture glued to the ceiling and other apocryphal moments yanked from rock biographies. The fact that Steel Dragons is comprised of real musicians from that era, composing and performing new and utterly believable anthems, adds to the authenticity. The end shift to Seattle even previews the 1990s in a way that's simultaneously earnest and tongue-in-cheek -- very much like these metal gods themselves. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie GuideCast
- Mark Wahlberg - Chris Cole
- Jennifer Aniston - Emily Poule
- Timothy Olyphant - Rob
- Jason Flemyng - Bobby Beers
- Timothy Spall - Mats
Dominic West - Kirk Cuddy; Dagmara Dominczyk - Tania; Matthew Glave - Joe Jr.; Stephan Jenkins - Bradley; Beth Grant - Mrs. Cole; Jason Bonham - A. C.; Heidi Mark - Kirk's Wife; Michael Shamus Wiles - Mr. Cole; Jeff Pilson; Zakk Wylde; Blas Elias; Nick Catanese; Brian Vander Ark; Rachel Hunter
